Applications selected for cannabis retail locations in five more rural N.L. communities

The Western Star

Published: Jul 19 at 2:33 p.m.

Updated: Jul 19 at 2:37 p.m.

The Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) has announced it has selected five more applications for cannabis retail locations in the province. - 123RF Stock Photo

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Five new cannabis retail locations have been selected in the second phase of request for proposals (RFP) by the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC).

Three of the qualified applications are for Oceanic Releaf with locations identified at 209-213 Unit #2 Ville Marie Drive in Marystown, 4-10 High Street in Port aux Basques and 12 West Link Road in Rocky Harbour.

Canopy Growth submitted the other two qualified applications with 41 Church Street in Bonavista and 27 Aspen Drive in Happy Valley Goose Bay identified as the locations.

According to a release today, July 19, the NLC’s licensing department will contact the applicants to guide them through the next phase of the application process to become licensed cannabis retailers.

The NLC previously announced 24 qualified applicants from the first phase of RFP on May 7. With several geographic gaps, a second region-specific RFP was launched on May 8 with a closing date of June 21.

“We are very pleased to have qualified applicants in five new retail locations, thereby ensuring we achieve our mandate of providing safe and secure province-wide access to non-medical cannabis throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” NLC president and CEO Sharon Sparkes said.

The evaluation process of the second phase RFP included the review of thirteen proposals.

According to the NLC, with the new application locations, more than 85 per cent of the province’s population will be situated within 50 kilometres of a licensed cannabis retail store.

“We are making great progress in developing the retail network with our qualified applicants and remain focused on offering a safe, responsible and accessible cannabis retail operation for the people of the province,” Sparkes said.